Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1961 ES-335 Heavy Aged 60s

Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1961 ES-335, Heavy Aged, 60s Cherry Overview

The Gibson 1961 ES-335 Sixties Cherry Heavy Aged is an exceptional Historic Reissue crafted by Gibson’s Custom Shop, designed to recreate the look, feel, and sound of the original 1961 ES-335. This reissue captures every detail of the iconic semi-hollow guitar from Gibson’s golden era, featuring the authentic styling, aging, and craftsmanship that guitarists seek for vintage tone and aesthetics. Here’s an overview of its key features:

Body & Construction:

Shape: ES-335 (Semi-Hollow)
Body Material: 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple – The combination of tonewoods contributes to the guitar’s balanced and resonant sound, providing rich lows, clear mids, and sparkling highs.
Weight Relief: None – Maintains the solid, vintage construction for the true tonal experience of the original.
Binding: 1-Ply Royalite – Subtle binding adds a touch of vintage elegance.

Neck & Fingerboard:

Neck Material: Solid Mahogany – Known for its warmth and sustain.
Neck Profile: Authentic '61 Skinny C-Shape – SlimTaper neck scanned from an original 1961 model, offering fast playability.
Nut Width: 1.687" (42.85mm) – A standard width for comfortable fretting.
Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood, fitted with hide glue for vintage authenticity and a rich tone.
Scale Length: 24.75" (628.65mm) – Standard Gibson scale for easy string bends and a warmer tone.
Number of Frets: 22 frets
Nut Material: Nylon – True to the original, contributing to the smooth feel and vintage tone.
Inlays: Pearloid Dot – Classic dot inlays for a clean, minimalist look.

Hardware:

Bridge: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar – Known for its excellent sustain and resonance.
Tailpiece: Aluminum Stop Bar for lightweight durability.
Knobs: Black Top Hats with Silver Inserts – Vintage-style knobs for a classic aesthetic.
Tuners: Kluson Single Line, Double Ring tuners – Heavily aged nickel finish by Murphy Lab, providing a relic aesthetic.
Plating: Nickel, Murphy Lab Heavy Aged – The heavy aging simulates decades of wear, giving this guitar the unique character of a well-loved vintage piece.

Pickups & Electronics:

Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) – Recreates the tone of vintage PAF (Patent Applied For) pickups, known for their clarity and harmonic richness.
Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) – Delivers authentic, vintage-style tone with detailed dynamics.
Controls:
- 2 Volume, 2 Tone controls
- CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers for smooth, accurate adjustments.
- Paper-in-Oil Capacitors – For a more vintage tone circuit, providing warmth and clarity.

Finish & Aging:

Finish: Sixties Cherry – A classic Gibson finish applied using Nitrocellulose lacquer for vintage authenticity.
Aging: Heavy Aged by the Murphy Lab – Gibson’s top artisans replicate decades of playwear, with realistic dings, checking, and hardware patina, making this guitar feel like an original from the early '60s.